Part 2The Office Doormat Strikes Back

Linda looked at me in pure disbelief:

"Chloe, what kind of attitude is that? We're your seniors. Did you lose your mind today? You were never like this before."

Clearly, she still thought I was the same meek doormat from my past life.

"Linda, this is your work. How do you have the nerve to ask me to work overtime to do it?"

"What's wrong with a young person learning a bit more? I'm giving you an opportunity to gain experience. Besides, you're a single girl, you don't have anything going on at home anyway. Why can't you spend a little more time improving yourself?"

"You're right. I definitely need to learn more, especially since this spreadsheet is so difficult. I don't know how to do it. Why don't you teach me? Once you teach me how, then I'll do it for you."

I'd made up my mind. If she wanted to play the "young people need to learn" card, fine! I'll learn! I'll spend 5 hours learning how to do this spreadsheet! I'll stay until 11 PM learning!

Linda seemed to catch on to my strategy and got a little angry:

"You can't even handle a simple task like this? I don't know how HR ever hired you!"

"Yeah, you can't even handle a simple task like this and have to ask others for help. I don't know how you've survived in this company for so many years!"

"I have something to do and need to leave early, it's not that I don't know how to do it!"

Linda started explaining herself. The moment she started explaining, the battle was already won.

Take note here, this is a key lesson: In office warfare, never explain yourself. The moment you start explaining, you fall into the trap of self-justification. Just go on the offensive.

I didn't say anything else, just gave her a cold sneer. Linda seemed a little flustered. She didn't dare tangle with me any further, went back to her cubicle, and started working on the spreadsheet herself.

As she worked, she muttered under her breath:

"What's wrong with her? She was fine yesterday..."

Although she backed off, she was clearly still resentful. After all, just a few days ago, no matter who asked me to do something, I'd just roll over and take it. Today, I actually dared to refuse her, completely disrespecting her in front of everyone.

So, she was determined to win that respect back today.

Not long after, she came looking for me again.

Of course, coming to me this time was like walking right into a trap.